What are the common indications for performing fluorescein angiography?

Fluorescein angiography is a vital diagnostic imaging technique used in ophthalmology to visualize blood flow in the retina and choroid. Understanding its indications is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Indications for performing fluorescein angiography include:

• 1. Diagnosing Retinal Vascular Disorders: Fluorescein angiography helps in diagnosing conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusions, and arterial occlusive diseases by visualizing the retinal blood vessels and identifying areas of ischemia and neovascularization.
• 2. Detecting Choroidal Neovascularization: In age-related macular degeneration and other macular diseases, fluorescein angiography is used to identify abnormal blood vessel growth in the choroid, guiding treatment decisions.
• 3. Evaluating Retinal Tumors: The technique aids in evaluating the extent of retinal tumors, distinguishing benign from malignant lesions, and assessing the involvement of the surrounding vasculature.
• 4. Assessing Inflammatory Ocular Conditions: Fluorescein angiography can reveal leakage and pooling of dye in cases of uveitis and other inflammatory eye diseases, aiding in diagnosis and monitoring treatment response.
• 5. Monitoring Macular Edema: It is used to assess the severity and extent of macular edema and determine the response to treatment in conditions such as diabetic macular edema and retinal vein occlusions.
• 6. Planning Retinal Vascular Surgery: In cases requiring surgical intervention for retinal vascular disorders, fluorescein angiography provides crucial information about the extent and patterns of vascular abnormalities, aiding in surgical planning.

Fluorescein angiography remains indispensable in the diagnosis and management of various retinal and choroidal diseases, making it a cornerstone of ophthalmic diagnostic imaging.